patriarchal

adjective

pa·​tri·​ar·​chal ˌpā-trē-ˈär-kəl How to pronounce patriarchal (audio)
: of, relating to, or being a patriarch or patriarchy
a patriarchal culture
a patriarchal religion

Examples of patriarchal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The film, which will shoot in the third quarter of 2025, explores the inner world of a girl living in Tirana, and her thoughts on women’s emancipation and empowerment in Albania’s patriarchal society. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025 In a society that favors a patriarchal breadwinner over one who can’t even sire a child, who can’t fulfill filial prophecy because of his own emotional stuntedness, Ali is an overall feckless man by society’s standards. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Jan. 2025 Photo: Lionsgate Kudos to Kidman for consistently rejecting the burden of likability that patriarchal Hollywood foists on so many actresses, and for digging in to roles that often ask her to investigate all facets of the human experience rather than simply the happy ones. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 3 Jan. 2025 At the same time, men—regardless of race, age, or financial status—are not questioned to the same extent in our patriarchal society. Kia Turner, refinery29.com, 6 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for patriarchal 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of patriarchal was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near patriarchal

Cite this Entry

“Patriarchal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriarchal. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

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